Experts
100% WOMEN-OWNED, WOMEN DIRECTED
We take pride in our talented and diverse team who diligently manage and analyze data to deliver tailored solutions for even the most complex data inquiries. Our backgrounds span a broad spectrum of industries and fields of study, but we’re united by a common purpose: to leverage technology in innovative ways.
Lacey Keller is a Co-Founder of MK Analytics and an expert in data mining and analytics. Before working in the private sector, Lacey founded the Research & Analytics Department at the New York State Office of the Attorney General, the first of its kind in the nation. Lacey has served as an expert witness in numerous matters, including the National Prescription Opioids Litigation and the Uber Technologies, Inc. Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation. She has been deposed more than 25 times and has testified in over half a dozen trials. In addition to her litigation work, Lacey is an adjunct professor, has guest-lectured at universities nationwide, and co-authored a six-part series as part of Bloomberg Law’s Lawyer Development Toolkit. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics.
Meredith (“Merry”) McCarron is a Co-Founder of MK Analytics and an expert in large-scale, unstructured data analysis for litigation and investigations. Prior to co-founding MK Analytics, she served as a Data Scientist at the New York State Office of the Attorney General, playing a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Division, as well as Health Care, Internet & Technology, and Labor Bureaus. She has served as an expert witness in multiple tech platform accountability matters and has been deposed nearly half a dozen times. Her work on firearms trafficking has received national recognition, including her co-authored report “Target on Trafficking: New York Crime Gun Analysis,” which was featured on the front-page of the “New York Daily News” and cited by the Journal of Urban Health, Data-Smart City Solutions, and the Rockefeller Institute. She holds an M.S. in Applied Informatics from NYU and frequently speaks on applied data science and network analysis.
Cathryn Jones is a Managing Director at MK Analytics who leads the firm’s Discrimination practice group. She has helped run Lacey and Meredith’s expert teams since 2018 and has contributed to more than a dozen expert reports as a data analyst, strategist, and technical writer. Cathryn specializes in gender-based violence, drawing on a decade of professional and academic research experience. She holds an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania where she was recognized as a Perry World House fellow for her research on women’s workforce participation.
Cathryn Jones
Kris Shaffer
Kris Shaffer, Ph.D. is a Principal Data Scientist at MK Analytics, specializing in natural language processing, business intelligence, web intelligence, and data product prototyping. He brings over 20 years of experience in data analysis and modeling and expertise in technical data product development. Prior to joining MK Analytics, Kris led data and AI consulting efforts through his firm, Latchkey, and previously served as Senior Data Scientist and Director of Web Intelligence at Yonder AI. While at Yonder, Kris co-authored a report, commissioned by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Russian efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election online. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University and is the author of Data Versus Democracy: How Big Data Algorithms Shape Public Opinions and Alter the Course of History. His work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, Bloomberg News, BuzzFeed News, Slate, and Foreign Policy. In addition to his work in data analytics, Kris teaches Information Science at the University of Colorado–Boulder.
Staff
Rachel Witt
Rachel Witt is the Director of Strategy & Operations at MK Analytics. Her work at MK Analytics focuses on strengthening project management infrastructure, supporting complex litigation engagements, and improving the firm’s ability to deliver timely, data-driven insights. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and brings a decade of experience in client advisory and operational transformation, including leading an international startup focused on sustainable agriculture and technology in emerging markets. Outside of work, Rachel is a licensed pilot and active volunteer - if she’s not answering emails, she’s probably flying a rescue dog to its new home.
Ava Hamilton is a Data Scientist with over a decade of experience in statistical and computational methods. Her expertise lies in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting complex data related to issues such as firearm violence, racial discrimination, and substance use. In her role at MK Analytics, Ava excels in designing models and algorithms to distill valuable insights and patterns from data. Additionally, she takes the lead in uncovering trends in eTrace Data and crafting reports for the Crime Gun Connect platforms. Ava holds an M.S. in Epidemiology from Columbia University and has a background in statistics and computer science. Notably, during her tenure at Columbia, she spearheaded the development, maintenance, and supervision of simulation models on the opioid epidemic in New York State counties and firearm violence in New York City within the Department of Epidemiology.
Ava Hamilton
Hailey Jones
Hailey Jones is a Data Scientist responsible for developing clear, well-documented analyses and reports, including work related to tech platform accountability and opioid litigation. She holds a Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. During her graduate studies, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, collaborating with professors on research addressing global agricultural markets, including analysis of U.S. grain export dynamics and data-driven approaches to market segmentation. Her work reflects a strong foundation in applied economics, statistical analysis, and translating complex data into defensible findings.
Bo Hong
Boyeong (Bo) Hong is a Data Engineer with a decade of experience in civic analytics and consulting. A skilled strategist and analyst, Boyeong excels at developing frameworks and products for data-driven urban problem solving and has led multiple projects across sectors. Boyeong’s areas of focus include applying data science and informatics to address urban challenges and improve quality of life. Boyeong’s prior work at academic institutions and international organizations involved predictive city analytics, using Big Data and Machine Learning to optimize city services in collaboration with municipal agencies. Boyeong holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Urban Engineering, specializing in Urban Informatics, from New York University.
Blaire Baker
Blaire Baker is a Junior Data Scientist, supporting large-scale data analysis and reporting for complex litigation matters. She joined the firm in 2025 and has contributed to projects in various subject areas such as tech platform accountability, healthcare, and product liability. She’s a key contributor to MKA’s work on cannabis testing fraud, including her undergraduate capstone project "THC Potency Inflation: Analysis of Cannabis Lab Testing.” Blaire holds a B.A. of Data Analytics and Economics from Washburn University. Her work emphasized careful data validation, structured analysis, and clear documentation. She is known on the team for her attention to detail and thoughtful approach to quality control as she continues to develop her technical expertise.
Rebecca Wolf
Rebecca Wolf is an Office Manager with twenty-years of finance and business management experience in the real estate, healthcare, nonprofit and government contracting industries. She is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and a current student at Liberty University. Becca’s super hero powers are intuition, perseverance, and connection, which she uses to volunteer extensively with Veteran and law enforcement mental health programs. She loves to travel and is most often working remotely from an exotic location.
Chase Mullins
Chase Mullins is a Technical Analyst at MK Analytics, where he translates complex topics into clear, concise materials for clients. Chase is a core contributor to MKA’s documentation, work flow design, data extraction, and technical writings. Prior to joining the firm, he developed documentation and training for advanced systems at Staples VR and Scan Monster and holds a B.S. from Cal Poly in Film & Television and Marketing. Outside of his analyst role, he works as an actor, so be sure to look for him on the big screen.
THINK YOU’D BE A GOOD FIT?
We have one rule: no jerks. MK Analytics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other applicable protected characteristic. Candidates who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Diverse and non-traditional backgrounds are key to our success.
